Automatic baler block dropper



Feb. 11, 1941. H. c. HOLLINGER AUTOMATIC BALER BLOCK DROPPER Filed Sept.19, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Harry C. H0 Zli n ger Feb. 11, 1941. H. c.HOLLENGER I AUTOMATIC BALER BLOCK DROPPER 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept.19, 1938 Harry Gliollinger Feb.-11, 19-41. Q HQLLINGER 2,231,850

AUTOMATIC BALER BLOCK DROPPER Filed Sept. 19, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 HargC. Hollinger H. C. HOLLINGER AUTOMATIC BALER BLOCK DROP-PER Feb. 11,1941;

Filed Sept. 19, 1938 I 7. Sheets-Sheet 4 m: r e 1 M W 3 w N M R w w a HM an \m m 7 SheetsSheet 5 HanyCiHollizgger Feb. '11, 1941.

H'. C. HOLLINGER AUTOMATIC BALER BLOCK DROPPER Filed Sep t. 19, 1938Feb. 11 1941. H. C HQLLINGER' 2,231,850

AUTOMATIC BALER BLOCK DROPPER Filed Sept. 19, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 amenWM Harry G. Hollinger 19 1- H. HOLLINGER 50 AUTOMATIC BALER BLOCKDROPPER Filed Sept. 19, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 f 3mm Harr cfldzzin erPatented Feb. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC BALER.BLOCK DROPPER Application September 19, 1938, Serial No. 230,673

10 Claims.

This invention relates to balers and particularly to a mechanism forautomatically dropping the baler blocks which are'used to separate thematerial which is being pressed for one bale from the material to followfor the next bale.

In 'baling machines, the material is pressed by successive operations ofa power operated ram to compress the mass into a sufficiently smallspace to permit of the application of the wire or other securing means.When the blocks which separate the material ofv two successive bales aredropped into place, difliculty has been experienced in getting theblocks into their proper successive places at the proper time betweenthe strokes of the feeding and ramming devices;

To this end, the present invention has for its primary object theprovision 'of an improved mechanism for dropping the baler blocks.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby theoperator at any stage in the cycle of operation of the ram may operatethe control mechanism to cause the block to be dropped automaticallywhen the proper'instant arrives.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a means forcoordination of the operation of theram, horse-head and block dropper.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a balerblock dropper mechanism having a mechanical connection between thebaler. ram and the dropper whereby, at the will of the operator, theblock dropper may be oper-' ated to put the block in position for thehorsehead to operate to force the block to drop the next time itperformsa packing operation.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from a reading of the complete specification andclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention has been illustrated withgeneral figures wherein some of the details have been omitted. for thesake of clearness. These details are illustrated in detail views.

Referring to the drawings where one embodiment is illustrated as appliedto a pick-up baler,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the left side of the pick-up baler.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are detail views of parts shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view of the right side of the machine as a whole.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the ram. 7

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are detail views of the pick-up elevator.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing the trans verse conveyor, partsbeing broken away and omitted for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 11 is a modification showing two levers le and'Hi as alternativestructure for the lever 15 at the right side of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a partial perspective View of the left side of the machine.

Figs. 13 and 14 are detail views of structure shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a rear perspective view of the block dropper.

Fig. 16 is a detail view of operating gearing.

Figs. 17 to 22 are detail views of the dropping mechanism.

Figs. 23 and 24 are detail views of the tucker.

Similar reference characters refer to the same or similar partsthroughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings, longitudinal frame members20 are provided at their forward end with a hitch or other securingmeans 2| to be attached to the rear of a tractor or other draft machine.Suitable braces 22 are provided to reinforce the connection between thehitch and the main frame members 20.

On the forward end of the frame members 23, is mounted a motor 23 which,as illustrated, may be of the internal combustion type. A chain 24connects a sprocket on the motor shaft with a wheel 25 mounted on ashaft 26 of a reduction gear mechanism. Mounted also on the shaft 26 area fly-wheel 21 and a pulley 28,'the latter operating a power belt 29 toprovide power for other mechanism to be later described.

Mounted above the frame members 26 and extending transversely therefromare feeder frame members 30. Supporting the left ends of these framemembers 30 and having their lower ends on the frame members 20 areuprights 3!.

An axle 32 is supported by a pair of suitable wheels 33 and carriessuitable uprights and braces which connect to the main frame members 20and the transverse frame members 30. Connected to the axle 32 is a platebracket 33 which carries the right end 'of a rock shaft 34 which issupported at its left end by the main frame member 23. The rock shaft 34carries an arm'35 which is pivotally connected to the underside of thepick-up frame 3t.

Referring now to Figures 7, 8 and 9,'the pick-up frame carries at itslower enda shaft 31 which has, between the sides of the frame 36, a drumwhich comprises a pair of sprocket wheels 3! which between them carrytransverse fingered rods 31, the fingers 31' of which extend to a linenear the ground when the pick-up frame is in lowered position. The upperend of the frame is supported on a shaft 39 which is journalled in apair of brackets as at 33. These brackets are supported by the framemembers 30. The shaft 39 which is pivotally mounted in the brackets 38,also carries sprockets 3E: Within and adjacent the frame members 36. Asprocket 39 is mounted on the end of the shaft 39 and drives a sprocket4|! on a shaft 49 by a chain 4|. A roller 4| is mounted on the shaft 4|and acts as a cleaning roller for the pick-up conveyor as wellunderstood in the art. It will be thus clear, that the upper end of thepick-up frame 36 is supported by the brackets 38 and its lower end issupported on the rocker arm 35. Another rocker arm 42 which is connectedto the rock shaft 34, with V porting the pick-up frame 36 in the desiredposition of adjustment. In order to raise and lower the pick-up frame, alink 44 is connected to the rocker arm 42 and at its other end issecured to a hand lever 45 located adjacent the forward end of the mainframe members 26, as shown in Fig. 5. This hand lever is provided withthe usual (grip and dog for cooperation with a quadrant 45 mounted onthe main frame to hold the pick-up frame at any desired adjustedposition. i

Mounted adjacent each end of the shaft 39 and between and near the sideboards of the pick-up frame 36, as already mentioned, are suitablesprocket wheels 39* which carry chains 39 -which in turn coact with thesprocket wheels 3'I 'at the lower end of the frame 36 on the shaft 31.Connecting these chains are slats or flights 46 which carry web bands 46which are placed between and preferably a distance apart on centersequal to the distance between the fingers 31 carried by the shaft 31.The pick-up frame 36 is so constructed that it is, in its loweredposition out of contact with the ground, the fingers 3I acting topick-up the hay, etc., being gathered. Shoes 41 are provided at thelower ends of the frame members 36, to take the shock only in case aprotruding stone or abnormally high spot is encountered, thus preventinginjuryto the pick-up frame or its mechanism. The lower end of thepick-up frame always normally travels out of contact with the ground.This prevents the side draft present in some machines. 1

On the inner end of the shaft 39 is located a sprocket wheel 39 which isconnected to another sprocket 58 on the shaft 58 by a suitable chain 59to provide the drive means for the pick-up mechanism. As the shaft 39turns, it drives the shaft 49 through the chain 4|, thus operating theroller 4| and the carrier with its belting 46 and flights 46. Theseoperate the drum on the shaft 31 causing the fingers 31 to lift thematerial which is carried along the inclined bottom of the pick-up to bedelivered at its upper end into the cross conveyor.

At the completion of the gathering of the material it is delivered tothe feeder.

A transverse box 59 with an open front, as shown in Fig. 10, is providedto receive the material from the pick-up and is supported on the framemembers 39. In the bottom of the feeder box is provided a transverseconveyor apron I2 which is mounted on conveyor'rollers carried by theshafts 5| and 52. On the shaft 52 (see Fig. 16) is a gear wheel 53 whichis driven from another similar gear 54. The gear 54 is mounted to turn,at will, ona shaft 55, which shaft has a bevel gear 56 at its oppositeend. This bevel ear 56 meshes with a bevel pinion 51 on the end of ashaft 58.

Upon the shaft 58 is mounted a pulley wheel 59 which is drivenby thebelt 29, already described. 6

revolving with the gear 54 is a small sprocket 6|.

This sprocket 6| drives a chain 62 which in turn drives a largersprocket 63 mounted on a shaft 64. The shaft 64 extends into and acrossthe feeder box 50 and carries a beater. The beater has at its endsdisks65 to which are secured the beater blades 66. These are arrangedsubstantially radially of the shaft 64 at their inner portions, theouter portions being bent as at 6! to provide a wiping action over thetop of the material as it passes to the baling apparatus.

In order to stop, when desired, the passage of material to the baler,there is provided a valve 68 mounted on arms 69, as shown in Fig. 10.The arms 69 are connected to the rock shaft I9 which is moved by thelever arm II. The rock shaft II! passes between the upper and lowerreaches of the feeder apron I2 which moves the material in the feederbox 59' and which is mounted on rollers carried by the shafts 5| and 52.The arms 69 35 which carry the valve 68 extend from the shaft III at thesides of the upper reach of the feeder apron I2 so that there is nointerference in their independent operation.

The operating arm H of the rock shaft I0 is controlled in its movementby a rod I3 which is connected at its opposite end to a bell-crank lever14 which is operated by a rod I5. The rod I5 is connected at itsopposite end to a hand lever I6, as shown in Figs. 1 and 12. It is thusclear that when the hand lever I6 is operated in a forward direction,compression will be set up in the rod I5, the bell-crank lever I4 willbe turned placing tension in the rod I3 and by means of the crank leverII, the valve 68 will be swung to its upward position to close the spacebetween the beater blades 61 and the'upper reach of the conveyors I2.

Since the delivery end of the feeder conveyor I2 is closed as justdescribed, no hay or other material may be delivered past the valve 63.Cooperating with this valve and its control connections are means forsimultaneously stopping the operation of the feeder conveyor belt andalso the rotation of the beater blades 66 and 61 located above thedelivery end. These connections will now be described.

As already described, the sleeve-clutch member 69'which revolves on and,at will, with the shaft 55, carries the sprocket 6| which drives the 65beater and the gear 54 which latter, through the gear 53, drives thefeeder conveyor I2.

Power being applied to the shaft 58 from the belt 29, will through thepinion 51 and the gear 56, drive the shaft 55. The clutch lever 'IIoper- 7 lever 16 which, as has been described, controls the valve 93.Thus the same forward movement of the lever 16 which has been describedas oper-- ating to close the valve 68, also by movement of the clutchlever H, opens connection between the clutch member 18 and thesleeve-clutch member 59, thereby stopping the operation of the beaterand the transverse feeder conveyor T2. If desired, separate levers Hiand 16 as shown in Fig. 11, may be used to operate the rods 15 and '59respectively. In either construction, the clutch should be releasedbefore the valve 68 is closed.

When the valve 69 is in raised position and the beater blades 69 and 6'!and the conveyor 12 are not operating, and it is desired to feed thebaler, it is only necessary to movethe lever 16 or the levers 19 and 15rearwardly. This causes the lowering of the'valve 68 to permit thematerial to pass and also causes the simultaneous starting of theoperation of the beater and the feeder conveyor 12.

The operation of a baler with which the pickup andfeeding mechanism maybe used, will now be described.

The sprocket Wheel 25, as already described, is operated by-the chain 24from the motor 23. As shown in Figspl and 12, this sprocket wheel ismounted on the shaft 26 of the reduction gear mechanism to revolvetherewith or to be released therefrom, depending upon whether or not theclutch 89 is in operative or inoperative position. A clutch-operatinglever BI is pivoted on an out-rigger arm 82 and is operated by anoperating rod 93. The rearward end of this rod 33 is secured to a lever34 which is fulcrumed on the rearward portion of the baler frameadjacent the platform occupied by one of the wiretying operators. Bymoving the outer end of the lever 84 in a rearward direction, the rod 83is moved in a forward direction and the clutchoperating lever 9ioperates todisconnect the clutch. Movement of the lever in a forwarddirection connects the clutch to operate the shaft 26. Keyed to theshaft 26 are a pair of pinions which drive a pair of large crank gearwheels 85. The crank wheels 85 carry a crank 85* to which is connectedone end of the ram 86 which carries at its opposite end a head 91, whichis illustrated in Fig. 6. The head 8'! moves reciprocally as the crankwheels 85 move the opposite end rotatively. This head 81 carries, at itssides, and is supported by the blocks 88 which travel in guides 89located on the outside of slitted plates bersZlJ with thecorrespondingframe members 29 located thereabo've. A rod or axle 9|serves to connect and support the head 8'! of the ram 85 from theseblocks 98. 7

Standing upright from the upper main frame members 29 (see Figs. 13 and14) are a pair of masts 92 which with the braces 93 support a shaft 9The shaft 9 1 carries an oscillating frame comprising two pairs of arms95 and 95 Thesefour arms 95 and 95 normally move pivotally about theaxis of the shaft 94' as a unit but are capable of relative pivotalmovement in pairs as will be later described. Connected pivotally totheforward ends of the arms 95, as at 95 are a pair of rods 96 which arepivotally connected at their opposite ends to the ram as at 9?. It willthus be seen that as the ram 85 is operated by the crank wheels 85, theframe 95 and 95 will be caused to oscillate.

At the rearward ends of the frame members Thees plates connect the framemempacked all at the bottom of the hopper which would result in thefinished bale being irregular in shape.

It will be noted that the frame members 95 extend farther forwardly thanthe forward ends of the frame members 95 and the rearward ends A of theframe members 95* extend farther to the rear than the rear ends of theframe members 95. Adjacent the rear ends of the frame members 95 and theforward ends of the frame members 95 there are angle irons 95 above andangle irons/95 below all 'of these being long enough to extend over allfour members 95 and 95 Extending through openings in corresponding angleiron pieces 95* and 95 are a pair of bolts 95 each carrying a spring 95on the bolts 95 are so adjusted that the springs t5 are held undercompression, thus holding the angle pieces 95 in close relation to theframe members 95 and 95*, which results in holding the latter inparallel relation. If the horse-head f engages any obstruction and isstopped in its normal movement, the springs 95 will be compressed andthe members 95 will be moved at 'an angular position relative to themembers 95*.

This prevents strains and possibly prevents breakage of parts if thehorse-head is stopped.

It is highly desirable that the horse-head perform its packing functionwhile in a vertical suddenly plane. To this end, links I [It areprovided of a points lill, I92 are respectively equi-distant from v thepivot points 94 and 98. From this description it will be clear that asthe ram 91 moves backward to perform its function, the horsehead 99 willbe raised and as the ram 8? is withdrawn, the horse-head will belowered. The position of the horse-head, when at its raised position isabove and at therear end of a hopper 19% which is located at thedelivery end of the transverse feeder conveyor 12. The side wall of thehopper ifil extends up beyond the lower edges of the beater blades 6'!and the bottom of the hopper is even with the bottom of the bale frameto be described.

Attached pivotally to the top edge of the ram head 8'! is a platemember, N22 which is supportedby guides Hi2 attached to the inner sidesof the frame members 29 This plate Hi2 is of a length slightly greaterthan the travel of the ram, 'It is placed at a height below the deliveryof the transverse conveyor 12. When the ram 85 is in its rearwardposition, the plate member Hi2 will cut oif all delivery of hay or othermaterial until the ram 96 and its plate member Hi2 are again withdrawn.At the instant it is clear,

the horse-head 9S descends and forces the material to a positionin thepath of the ram head and immediately'withdraws for the next balingstroke of the'ram head 8'1.

.' In the sides of the plates 99 are openings for the usual spring dogsI93, as shown in Figures 1- and The nuts 12, which hold the baler'blocksand the hay or other material in place after it has been pushed back bythe head of the ram.

The frame members 20 and 20 extend to the rear of the rear position ofthe ram head 81 and have supplemental frame members 20 and 20 (see Fig.4) to provide for sufficient length to hold the bale during the wiringoperation. A top plate 20 is provided between the top frame members 20.A bottom I04 of wood or other suitable material is provided between thelower frame members 20 A pivoted tray I05 is provided at the end of thefloor I04 to provide for supporting the bale until it is clear of theframe. The upper and lower frame members 20 and 20 are adjustablerelative to each other at their rear ends. Extending outwardly from thesides .of the rear ends of these frame members 20 and 26 are membershaving openings for the bolts I86. The upper ends are secured in a barI01 and pass through springs I08 which bear at their lower ends upontheframe members 20 and at their upper ends have the bearing ends of abar I39. A hand wheel I I0 having a screw threaded shank, registers withcorresponding threads in the bar I01. The lower end of the shank pressesat the middle of the bar I09. By turning the hand wheel I I0, the normalpressure between the upper and lower members of the baling frame, on thebale, can be controlled. Thus by turning the hand wheel IIO, thepressure on the material being baled during the baling operation, iscontrolled.

The means for causing the baler blocks to be dropped in place at theproper time,-will now be described.

Adjacent to the rear side of the hopper IOI and at the top frame members20, is journalled a shaft III (see Figs. 17 to 20). A lever arm H2 ismounted on but free to oscillate about the shaft I I I except when thetwo are operatively secured together as will be described.

At the lower end of the lower arm H2, at H3, is pivoted at link II4,which at its other end is pivoted at H5 to the yoke H6. The yoke H6 issecured to the block 88 which reciprocates with the baler ram head. Fromthis it will be clear that the reciprocation of the ram head 81 willcause the oscillation of the lever II 2. At the shaft end of the leverarm I I2 is a head having a notch II1.

Mounted on the shaft I II and movable therewith is a block carrier. Thiscarrier comprises the arms II8 which are secured to rotate about thecenter of the shaft III and at their upper ends, they carry a frame II8in which the baler block fits for easy movement. This carrier frame 8has an open front with guide flanges at the sides to guide the blocksinto proper position. At the lower inner or front sides are located twospring clips II9 which are engaged by the block I20, when the latter isput in the carrier frame and which hold it until the block I20 is forcedpast. At the rear of the carrier frame is another spring clip I2I whichengages the block and tends to hold it in place when the frame is swungback to its inoperative position.

Secured to the shaft III at its outer end, is a hand lever I22. As shownin Figs. 2 and 15, this hand lever I22 is mounted adjacent to the leverH2 and has a grip lever I23, which is mounted adjacent the handle of thelever I22 and is con.- nected to the upper end of a sliding dog I24.This dog I24 is supported in guides I25 which are located on the side ofthe lever I22. Above the upper guide I25 and tending to hold the dog I24in raised position is a, spring I26. The lower end of the sliding dogI24 is in the plane of the notch H1 and in such close proximity theretothat when the handle of the lever I22 and the grip lever I23 are drawntogether with the fingers, the lower end of the sliding dog I24 willengage the notch II1 of the oscillating lever IIZ as it operates withthe reciprocations of the ram head 81. When the parts of the balerare inoperation and it is desired to drop a bale block, the operators handmerely grasps the grip lever which immediately drops the dog I24 to aposition whereit will engage the notch II1 the next time the rear wallof the notch II1 moves forward. This tilts the shaft III with the blockcarrier frame IIll toward the rear side of the hopper I0I and at the endof the movement, the carrier I I8 -is in a vertical position.

The insertion of the block in the carrier II8 takes place when thecarrier is in its rearward or raised position. In going over the fieldswhich are sometimes rough it is desirable to have a means for holdingthe block carrier positively in its raised position until such time asthe operator desires the block to be put in place. To provide for this,there is a projection I24 (see Fig. 3) extending from the dog I24. Aquadrant I21 is secured to the frame and is provided with a notch I 21in a position to be engaged by the projection I24 when the block carrieris in its raised or rear position. As this notch I21 is in the loweredge of the quadrant I21, the spring I255 will normally hold theprojection I24 therein.

As the operator grasps the lever grip I23, the sliding dog I24 is moveddownwardly, its projection I24 disengaging from the notch I 21 andsimultaneously, its lower end will engage the notch I I1. This causesthe lever I22 and its shaft III to be rotated forwardly, thus placingthe block carrier within the hopper IOI. The block I20 is now inposition to be engaged by the projections I28 of the horse head 99 whenthe latter makes its next forward movement. At the next downwardmovement of the horsehead, the block I20 is forced out of its carrierand into the bottom of the hopper I (H The ram now forces the blockbackward under the tucker roll, to be described, and rearward of thedogs I03 which hold the block in this position. Continued movementreciprocally, of the ram, as the hay is fed, causes the new bale to bemoved rearwardly.

In order to return the carrier to its normal position in. readiness foranother operation, it is only necessary to grip the lever I22 and pullrearwardly. As the notch II1 permits the lever I22 and the carrier frameI I8 to be moved rearwardly, the spring I26 will cause the upwardmovement of the sliding dog I24 as soon as the projection I24 registerswith the recess or notch I21. The lower end of the sliding dog I24 beingnow out of registry with the notch I I1, the carrier frame I I8 is heldin its rearward position against accidental displacement by theprojection I24 in its notch or recess I2'I of the quadrant I21.

As an alternative structure to prevent accidental or premature movementof the block carrier to its forward position, there is provided aquadrant 221 having a latch 221* (Fig. 21) extending through an openingin the quadrant 221. As shown in Fig. 22, a guide 221 supports one endof a spring 221, the other end of which holds the latch 221 out inposition. to be engaged by the projection I24.

"I29, )as: shown 'in'Fi'g s. 10 and 15. Their outer 'When it is desiredto swing the block carrier forward, the grip lever I23 and the handle ofthe lever I22 are brought together in the manner already described. Thefirst part of the movement disengages the projection I24 from the latch221*. Further movement causes the'no'tch II! of the lever I I2 to engageand move the carrier t place the block I20 in operative position. Afterthe carrier has reached its operative 'position, the operator releasesthe lever grip I 23. After the block I20 has been forced out of thecarrier by the projections I28, the lever I22 may be pulled 'rearwardlyby the operator. As the projection I24 reaches the'latch 221 itsinclined end will compress the spring 22! until the projection I'Mpasses the latch. The latch will then return to its normal position andthe projection I 2 1 will operate to hold the lever until it is againreleased by the operator to insert another block. To hold the hay inplace after it has been forced into the bale, a rotating tucker rollwhich will rotate one way and not the other has been found to beconvenient. In action, the ram head 81 and its plate I82 pass under thetucker roller which is free to revolve therewith. When however, the ramhead 81 and its plate I I12 are withdrawn, the roller does not revolve;thus retaining the hay in place. The tucker roller I 3I extends acrossthe hopper I llI adjacent to but slightly below the level of the top ofthe bale. As shown in Figs. 23 and 24, the shaft I32 upon which theroller I3I is revolubly mounted, carries a plate I33 which is rigid withthe axle and carries a guide I 34. This guide, with the plate I33carries a latch I 35 A spring I38 bears on the latch I35 and guide I34to force the former through a suitably shaped opening in the plate I33and against teeth I3I at the end of the roller I3I. The latch and teethare so arranged that as the ram head 81 and theplate I02 con tact it,the roller will revolve but will be held against revolution when the ramis withdrawn.

On the outer ends of the shaft I32 are placed collars I33 having cotterpins I34 or other means to prevent the shaft turning relative thereto.

Extending from the collars I33 and integrally secured thereto arespindles I35 about which are springs I36. The ends of the spindles I35.are held in place by cars at the tops of brackets I37. The shafts I 32extend through elongated slots I3I (Figs. 23, 24) in the brackets I3I topermit the ram head 8! to push the roller I3I upwardly against thespring I36. As this movement takes place, the plate I33 also moves withthe shaft I32 to which it is attached. To provide movement for thebracket I34, a second slot I3! is provided.

In order to release the block I23 from the carrier frame I I8 as alreadyindicated, there are provided on the rear side of the horse-head, a pairof projecting members I28 which are so positioned as to engage the topof a block I20 when in the carrier I I8 the latter being in its forwardor operative position. .And since the frame of the carrier H8 has sideguide members but no top or bottom, the members I28 force the block pastthe spring clips II9 to its place. Upon the next strokes of the ram head81, the block is pushed against the hay of the bale just completed, pastthe tucker roller I SI and the dogs I63 and the formation of the nextbale is begun and continued against the block just inserted.

Secured to the upper main frame members at the rear, are transverselyextending members ends zare connected together by back rests or railsI33. Also extending outwardly at the sides .of the lower members an and20 of the main frame are supports for the operators seats I30 Upon theseseats, one on each side, an operator sits and wires the bales as theyare completed. The "bale blocks I 20 are provided with slits throughwhich the wire is passed in a well-known "manner. A foot rest I3il isprovided below the balerframe'upon which the operators place their feet."This foot rest is supported by chains which prevent breakage over roughground.

The operation of the machine as a Whole will noW'b-e described. 7 Afterthe pick-up baler is attached to the tractor or other draft device, themotor 23 is started. The baler operators, one on each side, take theirplaces. The tractor operator releases the lever 45 and by moving itforward places the lower end of the p'ick-up frame close to the groundbut out of contact therewith. The baler operator at the left side of themachine now operates the lever 34 by pushing-it forward. This pulls therod 83 and operates the clutch arm BI and the clutch 80 to apply powerto the shaft 26, thereby starting thebelt 29 and applying power to theshaft 58.

This action through the sprocket 58*, chain 59 and pick-up drive shaft39, starts the pick-up mechanism and the unit is ready for forwardmovement.

I As the hay or other material is reached, the operator-on the left sidemoves the lever I6 or levers Ili and-"I6 rearwardly if not alreadythere. This opens the valve member 68 and by simultaneously closing theclutch member I8, starts the operation of the transverse feeder conveyor"I2 and the beater blades 66 and 61.

-Also,when the lever 84 was operated, the crank gears '85 were caused tostart, thus operating the ram 86, its head 81 and the horse-head 9 9.

Prior to the actual start of the hay pick-up operation, one of theoperators places a baler block -in' the carrier frame II8=-.' Theoperator th n g'rasps the lever I22 and its grip I23. This causesthe-carrier with its block to beswung forward so that the block is invertical position to be dropped by the projections I 28 the next timethe horse-head approaches its lower posi tion. This having taken place,the ram head 8! will force the block rearward into the baling frame.

The hay or other material is picked up by the pick-up mechanism, carriedup and. delivered to the transverse conveyor I2. This conveyor with theoo'actingbeater blades 66 and 61, feeds the hay or other material intothe baler hopper Iii-I As already described, the alternate operation ofthe ram fifiand the horse-head 99 will cause the h-ay to be packed inthe baler frame as fast as it is delivered by the transverse conveyor.-This action causes the block to be forced rearwardly as'the bale behindit is being formed. The block is held against free rearward movement bythe tendency of the springs I08 under control of the hand wheel I IIItodraw the upper frame mem bers 20 and the lower frame members 20 closertogether. This action binds and retards the rearward movement ofthebaled material, thus keep ing the bale a close compact condition duringits formation. v

When there is sufficient material for a bale, an operator places anotherblock in the carrier Sa horse-head projections I28.

In the case of the dropping of the second and subsequent blocks, anadditional operation must be performed. In order to clear the hopper ofthehay or other material, prior to the insertion the next block, thelever 16 or levers l6 and 16 must be moved forwardly. This action placescompression in the rods 15 and 19, opening the clutch member '18, thusdisconnecting the driving means for the transverse conveyor 12 and thebeater blades 66 and 61 and also raises the. valve 68 to its closedposition. This cuts off the supply of hay or other material so that thebaler block may be dropped behind the material for the bale beingformed. The handle of the lever I22 with its grip lever 123 is grasped.This releases the projection I24 from the notch I21. On the next,oscillation of the lever H2, the lower end of the dog I24 will engagethe notch H1 and the lever I22 will be swung forwardly with its shaftIll and the block carrier H8 secured thereto. This places the block inposition to be dropped by the The block is then immediately forcedbehind the bale material. On the first stroke of the ram 86 after theinsertion of the block, the latter is pushed rearwardly far enough toclear the dogs I03 which prevent the block from forward movement. Assoon as soon as the bale is wired and the outer block is released, it isplaced on top of the baler frame ready to be inserted in the carrier.Another block is inserted in the carrier ready for the next insertion.As the bale is pushed into the discharge tray 105, it clears the upperframe members and may fall to the ground. The operation is repeateduntil the hay or other material is gathered. v

From the above it will be clear that there has been provided anautomatic dropping mechanism for the baler block which is coordinatedwith the action ofthe horse-head and baler ram to have the baler blockmoved from withdrawn position to its ready position and immediatelythereafter, the insertion of the block to its proper position behind thebale.

This automatic coordination of the movement of the block carrier withrelation to the horsehead is very important as it is clear that if theblock in its carrier is moved forward at the instant the dropperprojections on the horse-head are at a position below the top of theblock, these projections and the block in its carrier will be inconflict and breakage would occur. With this construction, such asituation cannot arise as the sliding dog I24 with its projection I24holds the block carrier in retracted position until the time for propermovement.

While an embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described indetail and is described in one relation, it is to be understood that thedisclosures as to details and in the relation shown are to be consideredmerely as illustrative and that modifications and changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention and within its scopeas claimed.

Having described the invention, claimed is:

1. A block dropping mechanism comprising a baler block holder forcarrying a baler blockto a what is a position adjacent the path of thematerialbeing baled by a baler mechanism, a shaft for swinginglysupporting the block holder, a lever means mounted on the shaft forswinging movement relatively thereto, connections for causing theswinging of the lever means, a hand grip lever mounted on the blockholder shaft including latch means for connecting said lever means andshaft to cause them to swing together.

3. A block dropping mechanism comprising a baler block holder forcarrying a baler block to a position adjacent the path of the materialbeing baled by a baler mechanism, a shaft for swingingly supporting theblock holder, a lever means mounted on the shaft for swinging movementrelatively thereto, a grip lever rigid with the shaft, connections forinitiating the swinging movement of the baler block holder and includingan operator-controlled connection between the lever means and the griplever to cause the baler block holder to move into place adjacent to thepath of the material.

4. A block dropping mechanism comprising a baler block holder forcarrying a baler block to a position to be moved into the path of thematerial being baled by a baler mechanism, a shaft for swinginglysupporting the block holder, a lever means mounted on the shaft foroscillation relatively thereto, a second lever rigid with the shaft,connections for causing the swinging of the two lever means together andincluding a hand operated means mounted on one of the levers.

5. A block dropping mechanism comprising a baler block carrier to guidethe block from a retraoted inoperative position to a position in thepath of the material being baled by a baler mechanism, power connectingmeans, including an oscillating lever, and manually operated controlmeans on the lever and under control of the operator to connect thepower means to so move the block from its fully retracted position todropping position.

6. A block dropping mechanism comprising a pivoted baler block carrierto guide, the block from a retracted inoperative position to a positionin the path of the material being baled by a baler mechanism, powermeans, including an oscillating lever mounted on the block carrierpivot, having a power connection to move the block and manual meansunder control of the operator to connect the power means to so move theblock from its fully retracted position to dropping position.

7. A block dropping mechanism comprising a shaft having a hand levermovable pivotally with the shaft, 9. baler .block carrier mounted on theshaft to swing backward therewith to a retracted inoperative positionwhere the block is loaded in the carrier and to a second position fromwhere the block may be forced to .a position in the path of the materialbeing baledby a baler mechanism, power means'including an oscillatinglever mounted to move aboutthe shaft and having an operative coordinatedconnection to move the block and manual means on the hand lever forconnecting the oscillating lever with the shaft to move the blockcarrier.

8. A block dropping mechanism comprising a shaft having a hand levermovable pivotally with the shaft, a baler block carrier mounted on theshaft to swing backward therewith to a retracted inoperative positionWhere the block is loaded in the carrier and to a second position fromwhere the block may be forced to a position in the path of the materialbeing baled by a baler mechanism, power means including an oscillatinglever mounted to move about the shaft and having a power operated linkconnection to move back and forth and manual means on the lever forconnecting the oscillating lever with the shaft to move the blockcarrier to its second position.

9. A block dropping mechanism comprising a baler block carrier to guidethe block from a re- 20 tracted horizontal position to an operativevertical position, locking means to normally hold the carrier in itsretracted position and power means for moving the carrier from itslocked retracted position to operative position and a single controlmeans for releasing the locking means and connecting the power means tomove the carrier from retracted position to operative position.

10. A block dropping mechanism comprising a baler block holder forsupporting and carrying a baler block to a position adjacent the path ofthe material being baled by a baler mechanism, a shaft for swinginglysupporting the block holder, hand operated means mounted on the shaftfor swinging therewith, and connections on the hand operated means forcausing the swinging of the hand operated means and the block holder atpredetermined times relative to the operating cycle of the balermechanism.

